Dr Atkins is a general ophthalmologist, attending to patients with eyelid and corneal conditions, performing anterior segment laser treatment, as well as providing a service to emergency patients.

Dr Atkins graduated in Medicine from Sydney University in 1973. Following resident medical officer training at Royal Newcastle Hospital, he commenced ophthalmic training, completing this at The Sydney Eye Hospital.

During his 30 years as a sole, residential eye care provider in Dubbo, Dr Atkins was exposed to a wide range of regional and rural eye conditions with many of these managed locally, especially with the later arrival of visiting ophthalmic sub-specialists. He was also a clinical lecturer in Ophthalmology in the Sydney Medical School at the Dubbo Rural Training Unit.